Presidential Proclamation for Columbus Day
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

More than 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on
his historic voyage to what would be called the "New World." His
celebrated journey inaugurated an age of exploration that changed the
course of history and enormously expanded our understanding of the world.
Columbus' willingness to brave the unknown led to his remarkable find,
bringing about further explorations that enormously enhanced the
intellectual, commercial, and demographic fabric of Europe and the
Americas. The stories of Columbus' voyage became a symbol of the quest for
knowledge and understanding of the world, and it laid the historical
foundation upon which much of America's future progress was built.

Reflecting on Christopher Columbus'
legacy, we remember his great courage in choosing to sail across
uncharted waters, we recall the power of his adventurous spirit, and we
are inspired by his willingness to assume considerable risks for the
sake of knowledge and progress. These virtues have been
echoed down through history by some of America's greatest pioneers,
from Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's daring explorations of our
western frontier to the Apollo astronauts planting the American flag on
the moon. Our Nation continues to follow the example of
Columbus' bold desire to push the horizon, pursuing new paths of
research and using our discoveries to benefit all of mankind.

Columbus' voyage represented the first
linking of the lands and cultures separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and
it served as a precursor to the close ties that exist today between
America and Europe. His discovery connected continents
separated by substantial geographic, religious, and cultural barriers;
and America has since formed partnerships with nations across the seas
that have sought to overcome those and other barriers through
agreements affecting such areas as trade, human rights, and military
support.

In commemoration of Columbus' momentous
journey 509 years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30,
1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has
requested that the President proclaim the second Monday of October of
each year as "Columbus Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October
8, 2001, as Columbus Day. I urge the people of the United
States to reflect on the contributions of Christopher Columbus with
appropriate means of celebration. I also direct that the
flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the
appointed day in honor of Christopher Columbus.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand
this eighth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.